Under CA Streets and Highways Code 5610, adjacent property owners are responsible for maintaining sidewalks fronting their property in Alameda County unincorporated areas.
California Streets and Highways Code 5610 places legal responsibility for sidewalk maintenance and repair on the owner of property fronting the sidewalk, including in Alameda County unincorporated areas. The county Public Works Agency may issue notices to repair damaged, uplifted, or hazardous sidewalks, giving owners time to fix the issue before the county performs repairs and bills the owner. Tree root damage is typically the property owners responsibility even if the tree is in the public right-of-way, though some jurisdictions offer cost-sharing. Encroachment permits are required to perform sidewalk work. Contact Alameda County Public Works at (510) 670-5480 for repair specifications.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Alameda County's sidewalk repair rules stack up against other locations.
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